Sheffield’s Kell Brook backed by ex world champ

FORMER world champion Joshua Clottey is tipping Kell Brook to seize the IBF welterweight title he once owned himself.

The 35-year-old African veteran also claims he had been offered a deal, at one point to fight Brook, eventually deciding against it. But he has watched the Sheffielder’s career blossom with interest.

And he thinks Brook will be too powerful for American Devon Alexander, when the pair eventually meet.

Clottey, who lost on points to Manny Pacquiao in 2010, has also been in with the likes of Diego Corrales, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto, so his opinion is certainly grounded in experience.

Ghana’s ‘Grand Master’ said: “I have seen Kell fighting on TV and he’s good. Boxing is about the strongest surviving. You might know much about the game and tactics and everything but if you are not strong then it’s no good. Kell is strong.”

Clottey added a rider that he was unimpressed by the calibre of some of Brook’s previous opponents saying: “He has only fought average guys, not the best out there. You should always fight the best” he said.

And that elite doesn’t include Alexander, in Clottey’s eyes.

He told BBC journalist Seth Bennett: “The way Alex fights I don’t see anything exciting about him. If Kell really wants to win the title, he will.”

But he warned Brook about switch-hitting in the match against the southpaw, saying he should stick to being orthodox, otherwise he could be in trouble. “Kell is never going to win the fight with switching” he said.

“If you are orthodox, stay orthodox. If you try going to southpaw he is going to disturb you.”

Clottey says he had the chance to take on the Sheffielder, himself. “People called me and wanted me to fight with Brook, they offered me good money, but I turned it down. I don’t follow the money.”

Meanwhile, American DeMarcus Corley, who has fought Alexander and recently sparred with Brook, is also backing the Brit.

“If Kell can cut the ring off and trap him in the corners it’s going to be a short fight, seven to eight rounds by KO.”

He said Alexander’s game plan would be to box his way to a unanimous verdict.